Dispersion behaviour of laser-synthesized nanometric SiC powders in aqueous medium with ammonium polyacrylate

The dispersion behaviour of laser-synthesized nanometric SiC powders in water using ammonium polyacrylate (molecular weight=10,000) as dispersant was investigated. The influence of oxidation, presoaking time, ammonium polyacrylate (NH4PA) concentration, and pH on suspension stability and coagulation rate of aggregates was determined. The stabilization mechanism is discussed. Excellent dispersion stability was obtained for oxidized (500 °C) powders containing 2.45 wt.% NH4PA at pH 9.25 after a lengthy aging treatment.